What Is A Rubio Finish?

teal kitchen with gold lights and an island

Consumer Information

With over 1500 projects under our belt, it is safe to say that we have done something in just about every color and every stain. While some clients enjoy selecting unique colors and stains, many prefer a more traditional look and feel for their cabinets. Often, oak wood is selected for the cabinet along with a stain of their choice. Once a cabinet has been stained, it usually needs a finish. Rubio is among the most popular finish options chosen, but what exactly is a Rubio finish, and what does it do for your cabinets? These are some of the questions we want to answer in this blog post, and we’ll also showcase a few projects completed with a Rubio finish.

What Is A Rubio Finish?

There are multiple finishing options for wood cabinets, including polyurethane, lacquer, and wax. This adds an extra layer of protection for the cabinets and enhances their appearance. Rubio is a hard-wax oil finish that permeates the wood rather than just forming a protective barrier like other finishes. The results are stunning, as the natural beauty of the wood grain shines through. Another bonus is that it comes in a broad range of colors, over 40, offering endless possibilities and variations. This is what makes Rubio Finishes such an excellent option when building custom cabinets. A Rubio finish is also durable, ensuring that your cabinets will still look amazing for years to come, which is an important feature for homeowners.

Walker Woodworking custom cabinets, adjustable height roll outs, quarter sawn white oak cabinets, inset kitchen cabinets, kitchen mesh

What Are The Benefits Of A Rubio Finish?

Rubio offers several benefits that will please homeowners, especially those who prefer a better alternative to traditional finishes that may be more chemical-based. Since Rubio is made from natural plant oils, it has no bothersome odors compared to conventional products. It is also highly environmentally friendly, as it has no VOCs (volatile organic compounds), which are gases emitted into the air from products and processes and can be harmful. As we said before, Rubio finishes are easier to maintain for homeowners and require less attention than others. Rubio Monocoat, the main manufacturer of Rubio finishes, offers a range of products to ensure your cabinets remain in the best possible condition. See their full selection here, including products that disinfect and can be cleaned. Another bonus to using this finish is that it is a one-and-done application, meaning only one coat is needed to achieve the desired finish. Of course, with so many color choices as well, it is safe to say that you can find exactly the shade you are looking for that suits your home.

What Wood Goes With Rubio’s Finish?

There are many wood species available to homeowners, allowing them to find just the right one for their home. Because a Rubio finish brings out the natural beauty and character of the wood, it is the perfect choice for any project you have in mind. The wood you wish to use for your project is entirely up to you, as a Rubio finish will only serve to enhance and protect. Be sure to speak with a designer about which wood and finish work best for your cabinet needs.

Projects With Rubio Finish

We have done countless projects using a Rubio finish, and the results have consistently proven why it is gaining popularity. The possibilities are endless with this unique finish method. Here are a few recent projects we have completed. What makes it interesting is that all three use the same wood species. This will highlight the fantastic power of Rubio’s finish to transform a cabinet simply by changing the color choice.

Vertical Wine Room

Quarter-sawn white oak with a pure Rubio finish was used for this project. The soft coloring of this wood was elegantly shown and highlighted further by the decision to build the cabinets with vertical-grain panels rather than the typical horizontal grain. Pairing it with glass shelves and a contrasting black finish makes this a stunning place to relax any time of day.

A custom wine room with oak cabinetry and with a built in wine cooler

Master Bathroom

Quarter-sawn white oak was also used for this project, but by changing the Rubio finish, we achieved a completely different look. For these master bathroom inset cabinets, a white Rubio/Cerused finish was used. We love just how light a color came through while retaining the natural beauty of this wood. The polished nickel hardware was the perfect complement to these cabinets, and this was another successful project with a happy homeowner.

T-Shaped Island

This time, the quarter-sawn white oak was paired with a Rubio Intense Gray custom whitewash, resulting in an elegant, warm gray tone for these custom kitchen cabinets. This client wanted to create an island large enough to bring the whole family together, so our team designed it T-shaped, which was perfect. The color choice was perfect, giving this space charm and character and enhancing the atmosphere.

All of these projects resulted in new spaces that were exactly what each homeowner needed and reflected their unique personalities. Using a Rubio finish was a part of making these designs what they were meant to be for each home. Your home is meant to reflect you, and what matters; color is a big part of making that happen.

Walker Woodworking custom cabinets, Brass hardware Jazz, custom kitchen cabinets, kitchen mesh cabinets, large kitchen island

Rubio Finishes

We love using special finishes to create a perfect design for our clients, and Rubio is one of the great ways we can do that. This is one of the reasons we invest time in researching the newest methods and ideas in woodworking to provide our clients with the best options for their homes. Our goal is always to be the best woodworkers possible, including staying informed on all the latest design trends and options, such as a Rubio finish. With over 20 years of experience and more than 1,500 projects under our belt, we are confident we can provide the best service available. Servicing more than 15 counties across two states, including Mecklenburg, Buncombe, Gaston, Spartanburg, Greenville, and York, our team is ready to help you create the perfect new space in the finish that’s right for your home. Connect with us today, and let’s get started on yours.

byStacey Walker/onFebruary 7, 2019/updatedJanuary 28, 2026/inConsumer Information

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